I first discovered the allure of the hostel lifestyle on my first backpacking trip to Costa Rica. On an accidental adventurous detour, I found myself stranded without transportation back to my original hostel. While looking in town, we crashed for the night at a new hostel called Selina. We awoke the next day to yoga at the pool, Acai at the cafe, and parrots singing in the trees. After this fantastic stay, we switched all of our hostels over to Selinas. It is critical to understand that hostels have evolved so much and are very safe and pleasant to stay in. I would recommend Selina hostels in a heartbeat. Unfortunately in most countries, they are costly, but in Costa Rica, they were a backpacker’s dream!
Overview:
Hostels are my favorite way to travel and Selina makes the hostel-life the highlight of any trip. As a female traveler, Selina is a very safe place to stay. The security is very good and you must have a Selina card wristband to get into the rooms (kind of like Disney’s magic bands). Each hostel provides dorms or private living spaces. They have a myriad of amenities including bars, restaurants, pools, hot tubs, movie rooms, and classes. Classes are anything from yoga to cooking lessons; they are a great way to meet people and learn something new. Selina is my favorite hostel chain I have ever stayed in and I would recommend it to anyone. I have met lifelong friends and experienced unforgettable adventures through Selina.
On my trip to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to try out three different Selina hostels…
Selina: Tamarindo
| 📍 Calle Langosta, Tamarindo Behind Pacific Park building Santa Cruz, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica | Location: Great | Cost: $19 Dorm $52 Private |
About: This was the first Selina hostel we ever experienced, and after our stay, we were hooked. This hostel is in a central location to Tamarindo’s city center so you do not have to worry about a far distance back. It is only a few blocks from the beach and right across the street from White Lotus (a popular nightclub). The diverse surrounding activities make this hostel great for people of all ages seeking different activities.
Amenities: Free WiFi, Tour Desk, Surf Club, Social Events, Surf Lessons, Movie Room, Live Music, Shared Kitchen, Swimming Pool, Bar, Pet Friendly, Yoga Lessons, Contactless Check-in, Free Parking, Spa
My Experience: We only stayed quickly overnight, but I heard amazing reviews from others in town. I wish we had the time to stay here longer.
Selina: Monteverde
| 📍 Carr. a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, 60109, Costa Rica | Location: Inconvenient | Cost: $16 Dorm $44 Private |
About: Located amidst the cloud forest, this hostel immerses you in the jungle. The community at this hostel was unlike anywhere else. We were constantly cooking in the kitchen and making friends with everyone who came in. Monteverde is a small town which makes Bar Amigos one of the only places to hang out at night. A large group of us all went down and spent the night partying together. The community here was one of a kind.
Cons: The only downside to this hostel is the location is so far from the city center. We had to take a taxi every time we wanted to leave because Uber wouldn’t drive that far. One day we walked to the city center, but it took a few hours (making stops off the way of course). If you are looking to be in nature over the city, then this might be a great option for you. If you are wanting to be near shops and restaurants, then I would recommend finding a different hostel.
My Experience: This hostel has two outdoor hot tubs (which we made sure to utilize), a yoga studio, a movie room, a bar, a restaurant, and several dining areas. Upon arriving on the first night, we participated in painting and drinking with others guests. We also reserved the movie room one night with a new friend for the UK, watched romcoms, and stuffed our faces with pizza. The hostel also organized for us to go ziplining with a group one morning. The hostel had a plethora of available activities–there was never a dull moment!
Selina: La Fortuna
| 📍 Avenida 325 75 meters east of the bus terminal La Fortuna Provincia de Alajuela CR 21007, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica | Location: Great | Cost: $18 Dorm $51 Private |
About: At the base of a volcano lies this hostel hideaway. Within the center of this Selina, Teepees are posted around a fire pit. This is the perfect opportunity for glamping. Not to worry if that is not your style; there are still private rooms and dorms available. This hostel also provides a CoWork room filled with desks and private work areas. There is an outdoor yoga studio adjacent to the stream flowing by. Since traveling is often so tiresome, the yoga studio is a great place for relaxation. Do not be surprised if you find iguanas roaming the grounds with you. Surrounded by volcanic hot springs and diverse jungles, you will never run out of nearby activities to indulge in.
Amenities: Free WiFiMovie Room, CoWork, Live Music, Social Events, Swimming Pool, Library, Shared Kitchen, Bar, Contactless Check-in, Yoga Lessons, Tour Desk, Free Parking, Spa (massage), Bonfire
Around: The location of this hostel is centered in the city–only about two blocks away from the city center. This allowed us to walk to the markets and shops. This town consists of a towering volcano, a blue waterfall, and hot springs to relax in.
My Experience: When I stayed at this Selina, I booked a co-ed dorm room. As a female traveler, I have to be extra cautious when sleeping in coed rooms, but I felt completely safe. I was sitting in the common area by myself and a group of girls from the Netherlands invited me to make dinner with them. It was very evident that the people staying there were welcoming and nice. I never felt out of place and there was always someone to talk to. The first night we all gathered around the fire pit, enjoyed welcome drinks, and learned about each other’s culture and home. It was an amazing evening getting to know a diverse group of people.